There may be a recession, but no expense has been spared on what is one of the world's most lavish hotel refurbishments, which came in almost a year and a half late and more than £120m over budget - partly due to structural complications with the building

The hotel is famous as a haunt for the great and good - The Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), Coco Chanel, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe and Fred Astaire all stayed here, Bob Dylan recorded the video for Subterranean Homesick Blues just outside, and Sir Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde were regulars. With rooms costing from £350 a night it's sure to add to its roll-call of glitteratti

Both Claude Monet and James Whistler painted views of the Thames from their rooms. Many of the original rooms have fabulous views over the river and 38 new river suites and guestrooms have been addedPhotograph: Richard Bryant/Arcaid

There are nine 'personality suites' in tribute to famous past guests, including Maria Callas, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich and Frank Sinatra. Artwork, photography and artefacts will evoke the time and spirit of each star - in the Marlene Dietrich Suite there will be 12 pink roses that the actress always requested on arrival

When it opened in 1889 it was Britain's first luxury hotel. It had the first 'ascending rooms' (elevators) and electric lights and hot and cold running water in every room. New features this time round include several eco-friendly designs, such as a combined heat and power (CHP) plant reducing its reliance on the national grid by approximately 50%, cooking oil will be recycled into biodiesel and up to 90% of waste will be recycled

The American Bar has been faithfully restored. When it first opened in in 1898 cocktails were just appearing in London and its first bartenders were Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman and Harry Craddock, who wrote The Savoy Cocktail book, which is still in print today

The hotel's Savoy Grill, will not reopen until next month under Gordon Ramsay's company, with head chef Andy Cook. Seen above is the Thames Foyer where guests can take afternoon tea under a stained glass dome

The River Restaurant, which closed in 2004, has been redesigned with art deco style interiors and sweeping views over the Thames and Embankment Gardens. Overseen by Chef Ryan Murphy, it will serve a French menu